It’s easy to write off your child’s sniffles and occasional coughing fits as just being a little cold. They’ve never had allergy symptoms before, so it can’t be seasonal allergies, right? Your child can develop allergies even if they’ve never shown symptoms in the past, and while colds and allergies can often show similar symptoms, they are quite different.
Allergies or cold?
Allergic reactions typically do not cause fever, so if your child is running a low fever, it’s possible that they’re suffering from a cold. But that doesn’t mean that you can rule out allergies. It’s possible to have symptoms of cold and allergies simultaneously.
Colds typically run their course in a matter of days, and symptoms usually clear up in a couple of weeks if not sooner. Allergies, on the other hand, can last weeks, months, or can bother your child throughout the year. Allergies aren’t something that can be cured, but allergies can be managed.
What are allergies?
Allergies are your body’s response to allergens. Your body’s immune system is remarkable in its ability to fight off harmful bacteria, illness and disease. However, allergies trigger your body’s immune response even though allergens are not typically harmful. Allergens can affect different people in different ways. Some people are allergic to ragweed, while others are allergic to rye grass, and some people aren’t allergic to either one.
Seasonal allergies – also known as seasonal allergic rhinitis, or hay fever – are most often caused by pollen in the air. Different plants release pollen at different times of the year, meaning that the the timing and duration of your child’s seasonal allergies can vary.
Your child may exhibit any combination of these symptoms from allergies:
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Congestion
- Itchy eyes, nose. or throat
- Difficulties breathing
- Rashes
There are allergens indoors as well as outdoors. In addition to pollen and other outdoor allergens that can cause allergies, there are a number of indoor allergens such as mold, dander, dust, and bacteria, that can cause symptoms.
To manage your child’s allergies, it’s important to determine what your child is allergic to, and what triggers his or her allergy symptoms.
Your child’s health is important. The best way to make sure that your child stays healthy is by working with their pediatrician. This is true whether you’re determine your child’s allergies or just taking them in for an annual check up. Your child’s pediatrician can help give you more insight to your child’s allergies, and refer you to an allergy specialist if need be. Schedule an appointment for your child today.